JANUARYASIA BUSINESS OUTLOOK8NEWSROOMSouth Korea's Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo met with U.S. lawmaker Rep. Darrell Issa, State Department officials, and industry groups in Washington, D.C., to address growing U.S. concerns over South Korea's online platform regulations.The visit follows the U.S. State Department expressing "significant" and "grave" concerns about recent amendments to South Korea's Information and Communications Network Act, which target the spread of false or fabricated information online.Yeo said the meetings aimed to clarify South Korea's policy intentions and prevent misunderstandings that could disrupt bilateral tech cooperation. U.S. officials warned that the law could trigger friction similar to tensions seen between the U.S. and the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA), potentially affecting global technology firms operating in Korea.South Korea's parliament passed the bill by a 170­3 vote. The amendments allow punitive damages of up to five times proven losses and fines of up to 1 billion won for repeat violations. Critics argue the definition of "false or fabricated information" is vague, raising concerns about enforcement and free expression.The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) has issued a draft Enforcement Decree outlining compute thresholds and sector criteria, but journalists and industry groups are urging the government to define the law's scope more clearly through an enforcement ordinance.Key decision rights--such as who determines what qualifies as fake news--remain unclear, fueling fears of self-censorship by online platforms.The regulatory uncertainty is expected to drive demand for trust-and-safety vendors, content moderation tools, and adtech compliance solutions tailored specifically to Korea. Draft enforcement rules are expected to be released for public comment before finalization, mirroring the rollout of Korea's AI Framework Act in September 2025.Companies tracking drafts and adapting early are likely to gain an advantage once compliance timelines and standards are finalized. Sukino, a Bengaluru-based provider of post-hospital and rehabilitative healthcare, has raised US$31 million in a Series B funding round led by Bessemer Venture Partners, with participation from Rainmatter.The fresh capital will be used to accelerate the company's expansion plans, including opening 22 additional care centers over the next two years.Currently, Sukino operates 850+ beds across 11 centers in Bengaluru, Kochi, and Coimbatore, delivering post-acute and rehabilitative care primarily for stroke patients, as well as individuals with neurological, orthopedic, and oncology conditions.Its care model relies on multidisciplinary teams spanning physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.However, the expansion comes amid a severe talent shortage in India's rehabilitation ecosystem. India has only 0.59 physiotherapists per 10,000 people, far below global benchmarks.According to the Indian Federation of Neurorehabilitation (IFNR), the country has fewer than 50 occupational therapists and fewer than 50 speech therapists, creating staffing constraints that could challenge Sukino's growth and care quality across new locations.Neurorehabilitation in India also suffers from uneven access, variable quality, and weak integration with primary care. Insurance coverage often excludes neurorehab services, leading to high out-of-pocket costs, leaving Sukino's payer mix and unit economics uncertain, despite reported 64 percent growth.Industry observers note opportunities for edtech and HR tech platforms to expand training capacity, standardize rehabilitation education, and support staffing marketplaces for credentialing and temporary placements.Additionally, rising interest in corporate wellness and preventive care, supported by broader insurance coverage, could position wellness providers ahead of the growing rehabilitation demand that Sukino's expansion signals. SOUTH KOREA DEFENDS ONLINE PLATFORM LAW IN WASHINGTONSUKINO RAISES $31M TO SCALE POST-HOSPITAL CARE IN INDIA
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